Au mois de juin, avec mon ami avons prévu d'aller au Brésil (Natal - Fortaleza - Jericoacoara : 2 semaines). Nous voulons visiter ces villes en voiture (buggy ou 4x4) et sortir des sentiers battus. Je sais qu'il existe plusieurs tours opérateurs qui proposent des circuits en buggy dans cette région mais nous souhaitons voyager seuls et sans guide. Mes questions sont :
est-il facil de louer un buggy à Natal ou Fortaleza? Si oui pourriez-vous me donner le nom de l'agence.
y a-t-il des dangers de conduire à travers les dunes, seuls, sans guide?
faut-il prévoir quelque chose de spéciale à part une carte routière, une boussole, assez d'essence, de l'eau?
quelqu'un aurait-il des bonnes adresses à nous recommander ? (posadas, petits restos, petit coin perdu)
à part Jeri, quelqu'un connaîtrait un autre spot de windsurf ou kite?
Tout autres conseils sont les bienvuenus. Merci d'avance 😉 à tous ceux qui pourront nous aider à préparer ce voyage.
louer un buggy, pourquoi pas, mais comme le dit justement un internaute, au bout d´une journée, vous en aurez plein les "oreilles"😠. La meilleur chose est de louer á Fortaleza, dés votre arrivée á l´aéroport une voiture, style Gol, clio ou 206, aupres des agences de locations. mettez les en concurrence et demander leurs une "pacote" (forfait tout comprit, kms, assurances), pour une durée et un kms illimités. (prix pour 10 jours, kms illimites chez hertz = 900, 00 R$ pour une Gol 1, 1)😎
Lors de la prise du véhicule, vérifier bien l´etat géneral du véhicule et n´hésiter pas á faire noter tous les défauts constatés.
Ensuite en partant de l´aéroport, vous pourrer visiter le littoral de Morro Branco à Jericoacoara, les routes sont bonnes, avec quelques risque de temps en temps de nid de poule, donc soyez vigilant et ne roulez pas trop vite (+100 kms/ H)🏴☠️
Jericoacoara (280 kms de Fortaleza)
30 kms avant d´arrivée á cette destination, malgrés une carte en main, la signalisation est inexistante (volontairement ou pas), des guides attendent au bord de la route 😛et vous proposent de vous accompagner jusqu´au village de Jericoacoara pour 50 /100, 00 R$, en fait ils vous améneront au village le plus proche, car les 10 kms restant sont impraticables en voiture normale, seul des 4x4, buggy ou camions sur-elevé peuvent y accéder, la route n´existe pas, seuls les locaux connaissent le chemin à travers les dunes pour y accéder. Donc pour vous même avec un buggy ou un 4x4, vous risquez de vous perdre et de mettre plusieurs heures avant d´arriver au but.....
A partir du dernier village accessible en voiture, vous pouvez prendre des navettes (1 toutes les 30mn) pour 10/20 R$ par personne, qui vous enmeront au village de Jericoacoara, en toute tranquilité.
Morro Branco (80 kms de fortaleza)
Route bonne, acces facile, bien indiqué. A l´arrivée sur le village de Morro Branco, sur la place principale, à 50 m de la plage, vous allez être assaillie de soi disant guides qui vont vous proposer de vous faire visiter les dunes de sables colorées pour la modique somme de 50, 00 R$, cela n´est pas nécessaire de passer par eux🙂, en vous promenant sur la plage, à 300/500 metres de la place principale, vous verez les fameuses dunes de sables colorées, qui sont en bordure d´océan.
possibilité de faire une promenade en buggy sur la plage pour la somme de 40 /50, 00 R$ par personne.....
Concernant Jeri, quelque chose m’échappe. Pourquoi prendre une navette alors que nous aurons une voiture (4x4) ? Sont-elles interdites dans le village ? Si ce n’est pas le cas, à ce moment là on peut toujours suivre la navette, non ?
Est-il possible de conduire sur la plage ou est-ce déconseillé ?
Il est difficile de trouver des 4x4 en location, à ma connaissance il ne me semble pas que les agences commes hetrz, avis ou Europcar, disposent de 4x4 ou véhicules similaires dans leurs parcs, au sein des aéroports comme Fortaleza ou Récife. A vérifier sur www.avis.com.br
Compte tenu du prix des véhicules 4x4, ici au Brésil, le prix de location sera surement 4/6 fois plus cher qu´un véhicule classic style 206, Gol, clio du segment "A" ou Opel Astra, Fiat palio, Golf du segment "B".
A noter aussi que 90% des 4x4 vendus au Brésil, fonctionnent á l´essence, avec des consommation proche des 17/20 litres pour 100kms, cependant le litre d´essence tourne à 0, 73 cts d´Euro actuellement.
L´accés au village de Jericoacoara, n´est pas facile, compte tenu qu´il n´existe pas de route, ni de panneaux indicateurs pour les 10 /15 derniers kilométres, il faut passer á travers les dunes (cela ressemble au Sahara) avec risque de s´ensabler, et surtout de tourner en rond, á moins de suivre une navette au départ de l´avant dernier village accessible par la route goudronnée.
L´acces avec une voiture classique n´est pas possible, si vous louez un 4x4 ou un buggy, vous pourrez y accéder en suivant les gens du coin.
La circulation dans Jericoacoara, n´est pas interdite, le village n´est pas grand, 90% des gens se proménent á pieds dans les rues car le nombre de véhicules est tres faible á cause de l´accés.
Il n´y a pas d´intérêt d´aller sur la plage de Jerricoacoara avec son véhicule, c´est un village de pêcheur et les gens aiment la tranquilité, c´est la raison pour laquelle il n´y a pas de route d´accés goudronnée. On vient à Jerricoacoara essentiellement pour le paysage de dunes (on se croirait en Afrique) à découvrir à pied, et non pas pour faire du 4x4, d´autant plus que le sable est mou, piegeux à souhait ce qui n´est pas le cas des plages de Morro Branco (sable dur).
Hier, j´etais á l´aéroport de Sao Paulo, et j´ai vu qu´Avis loue des véhicules type 4x4, ce ne sont pas de véritable 4x4, véhicule tout chemin, haut sur "pattes", ce sont des Ford Ecosport en 2 ou 4 roues motrices, véhicule du gabarit d´un Scenic 4x4 (au Brésil, bizarrement Renault vend des Scenic classiques, mais de commercialise pas de Scenic 4x4).
L´aternative serait donc de louer un Ecosport, moteur 2L, 130 CV, gasolina, 4x2 ou 4x4, ce véhicule existe en France, mais en version route, c´est le Ford Fusion
j ai fait ce circuit l an dernier en fevrier : on etait un groupe de 2 buggys + celui du guide
cela ete super sympa/ et honnetement j etais content d avoir un guide qui nous a facilite les passages et qui nous a fait decouvrir et comprendre cette region
je ne parlais pas un mot de portugais et l espagnol ou l anglais ne sont facilement parles par la
mais les gens sont super souriants / un regal ce voyage / je compte bien y retourner l an prochain mais pour la partie nord de fortalezza mais toujours avec un guide bresilien
....en fait, on peut aller à Jeri avec sa propre voiture, par la plage à marée basse, mais ca peut être galére sans guide, et, comme dit Chico je ne vois pas l'interet, car on n'utilise pas sa voiture à Jeri............
En 4x4 par les dunes, faut suivre quelqu'un car la route n'est pas indiquée...
Par contre, c'est possible de laisser sa voiture de loc au village ou on prend la camionette pour Jeri, moi je l'avais laissé chez le chauffeur de la camionette, sans probléme.........
Nous sommes allez à Jericoacoara en camionetta-bus. J'avoue que je ne m'imagine pas conduire toute seule dans les dunes ! Je pense qu'il faut avoir un peu l'habitude quand même pour ne pas trop galérer.
Gaelle
Je suis français et je viens d'ouvrir une agence de voyage réceptive à Recife au Brésil. L' agence s'appelle alter-nativ Brésil (www.voyagebresil.fr) et l'une de nos grandes spécialités est justement le circuit aventure Natal-Jericoacoara en buggy c'est pourquoi je me propose de répondre à tes questions.
il est bien sûr possible de louer un buggy à Natal mais si tu vas jusqu'à Jericoacoara qui se trouve à environ 1200 km de distance, tu devras ensuite ramener le véhicule à Natal ! Il ne te sera pas possible de le laisser à Jeri ni d'ailleurs à Fortaleza ou alors moyennant une fortune.
piloter un buggy dans les dunes n'est pas à la portée du premier venu. Si tu n'as aucune expérience en la matière, tu seras obligé de rester sur la plage (attention aux horaires des marées !) faisant ainsi l'impasse sur les plus beaux coins (parc de dunes, petits villages de pêcheurs, lacs, etc.).
d'autre part, sans faire mention des risques de pannes mécaniques ou d'essence, partir sans guide/chauffeur sur ce trajet non balisé et où les stations essence et les pousadas sont très rares peut rapidement tourner à la grosse galère.
Il est vrai que l'idée même d'une aventure en buggy le long des plus belles plages du Nordeste brésilien est avant tout synonyme de liberté et que l'idée de partir avec un guide/chauffeur peut te paraître contraignante ceci dit, pour bien connaître la région, je peux t'assurer que les lieux que tu vas découvrir durant ce voyage sont tellement magiques que tu ressentiras, de toute façon, de fantastiques sensations de liberté, d'aventure au bout du monde... tout en évitant de nombreuses galères voire même de mettre inutilement ta vie en danger. De plus, voyager avec un guide/chauffeur brésilien n'est jamais une source de stress.
Enfin, pour ce qui est des spots de kitesurf, ils sont nombreux, les meilleurs étant sans doute Sao Miguel do Gostoso, Galinhos, Cumbuco et Prea.
Voilà, j'espère que ces infos te seront utiles et si tu avais d'autres questions, n'hésite pas.
salut
en novembre je suis retourné au Brésil pour la deuxieme fois dans la région de Natal
il faut que tu saches que l'avion pour Natal est moins cher que pour Fortaleza
quand tu arrives à natal, tu peux louer une petite voiture normale et partir directement le premier soir dormir à Muriu à la pension algarve par exemple
c'est pas loin de Natal, à peine une heure de route en prenant la route du nord direction genipabu .
de là tu continues vers le nord vers sao miguel do gostoso qui est surement le meilleur spot de kite du brésil
va voir les stats de vent sur windguru et compare en ce moment avec le reste, tu seras vraiment surpris
à sao miguel, il y a toujours de 2 à 5 noeuds de plus qu'ailleurs grace à un effet de cap, avec en plus une super vague en side off
deux pousadas t'attendent : la pousada do gostoso au bord de la plage
ou la pousada da estrellas : un peu plus loin de la plage mais super sympa
au sud de natal tu peux aller à tibau do sul, pipa et barra do cunhau
si tu veux plus d'info et quelques photos fais moi signe
plus au nord on m'a parlé d'aguas bellas, mais pour moi ce sera la prochaine fois car il y aura forcement une prochaine fois
Bounjour,
est ce que vous savez la distance qui sépare BELEM de JERICOACOARA svp ???
Avec ce renseignement nous verrons si nous prenons le bus ou bien l'avion....Ce pays est tellement vaste que sur une carte on a toujours l'impression que c'est la porte à coté !!!!
Distace ou bien temps de trajet en bus
MERCI d'avance
salut,
je prévois également de faire le trajet Natal - Foratleza - Jericoacoara en buggy dans 3 semaines et l'aventure seule semble un peu risquée.. quelles agences recommander et à quel prix? le site visiterbresil.com n'est malheureusement plus accessible.
merci de votre aide!
oui j'ai essayé pas de réponse pour l'instant.
mais bon l'idée de me retrouver dans un groupe de 10 touristes me dit moyen.. on va essayer de voir sur place si on peut trouver buggy et buggeiro pour qq jours..
It's decided—2027 will be Brazil, in the summer (unless you advise against it 😕). From what I’ve read, the weather’s okay, even if it’s a bit chilly for swimming. We’re going, as always, as a group of four, with our teens. 🙂
We’d be looking at a solid two weeks, at least 14 days on the ground. I’m planning way ahead to nail down an itinerary and book our flight tickets (the prices I’m seeing already are freaking me out…).
From my research, I’ve come across some classic routes: Rio/Iguazu/Paraty/Ilha Grande.
Roughly: 4 days in Rio, 2 in Iguazu, 2 in Paraty, and 3 on Ilha Verde. That’d leave us one more stop on the trip.
Since we like to end with a "chill" stop for the kids,
My questions:
- Is Ilha Verde worth it this time of year? I’ve read that swimming might not be an option—water’s too cold… So not ideal for a chill/relaxing destination?
- How should we round out the trip in the South? São Paulo? Another stop along the Costa Verde?
- Wouldn’t it make more sense to head up to the Northeast, where it’s warmer, like Salvador de Bahia?
But Salvador raises other questions:
- Are there flights from Iguazu to Salvador?
- And for the return to France, would we have to connect through Rio or São Paulo from Salvador?
- Any suggestions for places to stay around Salvador?
Thanks for your input—I’m sure I’ll have more questions as I go along. 😉
Hi everyone! So happy to be back on this forum—it’s packed with such useful info! 🙂 My husband and I are planning a 2.5-week self-drive trip to Colombia at the end of the year, including some domestic flights. My first question is: is it possible, easy, and safe to do a road trip in Colombia?
Below is our draft itinerary (with questions at each stop):
29/11: France → Colombia. Overnight in Bogotá.
30/11: Exploring Bogotá: La Candelaria and Montserrate.
01/12: Gold Museum (closed on Mondays). Drive to Zipaquirá (1.5 hrs) to visit the Salt Cathedral. Then drive to Villa de Leyva (3 hrs). Explore the town. Overnight in Villa de Leyva.
02/12: Return to Bogotá via Laguna de Guatavita (5 hrs). Is it worth the detour? Overnight in Bogotá.
03/12: Flight to Pereira. Drive to Salento. Overnight in Salento.
04/12: Cocora Valley (hike among the wax palms) followed by a drive around the area. Are there any waterfalls or other sights nearby?
05/12: Visit a coffee finca—any recommendations? Then explore the surroundings: Filandia, Manizales, waterfalls? Hot springs? Which ones?
06/12: Flight to Medellín.
07/12: Exploring Medellín: Centro, Plaza Botero, Comuna 13. How do you visit Comuna 13? Is it easy to get around Medellín? Metro? Buses?
08/12: Drive to Guatapé (2 hrs). Visit the town, stroll around the lake, then El Peñol. Overnight in Guatapé.
09/12: Return to Medellín.
10/12: Flight to Santa Marta. Drive to a hotel near Tayrona Park.
11/12: Tayrona—El Zaino entrance.
12/12: Tayrona—Palangana entrance, then Bahia Concha and Santa Marta. What do you think?
13/12: Drive to Minca (45 mins). Can we reach the village by car? Pozo Azul and Marinka waterfalls. Overnight in Minca (or back in Tayrona?).
14/12: Drive to Puerto Nao (5 hrs). Stop in Ciénaga on the way + boat tour in Nueva Venecia and/or Buena Vista? Not enough time? Overnight in Puerto Nao.
15/12: Exploring Cartagena: Centro, Getsemaní, the walls + La Boquilla if we have time.
16/12: La Boquilla (is it really worth it?) if we didn’t have time yesterday, then back to the beach.
17/12: Return to France.
So, what do you think? Is this doable, or should we tweak it? Thanks in advance for your invaluable feedback and tips! 🙂
Hi there, I’m looking for recent info on a boat trip with sleeping accommodations from Belém to Santarém. I don’t want a "luxury cruise for wealthy tourists"—just a bed with a minimum of comfort seems great to me🙂. I didn’t find any up-to-date details with Amazon Star. Do you have any companies, guides, or prices for this route to recommend?
I’d love to hear tips and feedback on this trip, especially since I’m traveling solo. I’d like to get a sense of what to expect and ensure some basic safety with transportation.
Thanks.
I live in Quindío and I’ve seen a lot of worried questions since the August earthquake. Here’s an update for those planning a trip to the coffee region.
Tourist sites are operating normally: Salento, the Cocora Valley, Filandia, and Pereira Airport are open and welcoming travelers. The region needs visitors—coming here directly helps the locals.
A few tips to plan your stay:
• Airports: Pereira and Armenia, each about 1 hour from Salento.
• Where to stay: Salento for the vibe and proximity to Cocora, Filandia, or a *finca* near Quimbaya for more tranquility.
• Cocora: Easy to explore independently from Salento, with the Willys (local jeeps) leaving from the square. Go early to avoid crowds.
• La Carbonera: Less known, wilder, and home to the largest wax palm forest. The road is long—best done in a 4x4 or with a Willy driver.
• Coffee: Many small family-run *fincas* offer tours around Salento and Filandia.
• Hot springs: Santa Rosa de Cabal, on the way to Pereira.
• Duration: Plan at least 3 days to enjoy without rushing.
If you have any questions about the region, ask away—I’m happy to help.
Hi everyone! I’m heading to Colombia in January 2026 and have a few questions. In Salento, which is better to do—Cocora Valley or Carbonera Valley? After that, I want to fly from Medellín to Rincón del Mar. Is there an airport in Tolú? I can’t find any info. Thanks in advance, and *buen viajé* to all! Kristian
Hi there, we’ve decided to head to Brazil at the end of March for 2.5 weeks with our 13-year-old son. From what I’ve gathered from some research, Rio seems like a great destination at this time of year, and I’m thinking around 4-5 days to explore it—does that sound right to you? Copacabana, Ipanema, Sugarloaf Mountain, Christ the Redeemer, maybe a favela tour, or any other ideas?
How’s the best way to get around locally? I’ve heard about Bonito or Angra dos Reis and Ilha Grande—what do you think of those? Fernando de Noronha for snorkeling or even diving? Is Recife a good option at this time of year?
If you’ve got any suggestions, we’re all ears—it’s for our 50th birthdays! :-) Thanks so much for your help and tips. See you soon.
Hi everyone,
We’re planning 40 days in Uruguay and Argentina in February and March, trying to avoid as much rain as possible.
We’re thinking of starting in Buenos Aires, then heading to Bariloche, and from there flying to Córdoba, Mendoza, or Salta. Maybe by bus or renting a car to explore each region.
Do you have any suggestions or tips for us? We love picturesque, historic cities and landscapes. As seasoned travelers, we’re used to planning our trips ourselves.
Thanks in advance!
We’ve planned our road trip in Chile, and the only thing left is to book the TABSA ferry from Punta Arenas to Puerto Williams.
Problem: the ferry that leaves Punta Arenas at 1 AM isn’t available for booking, no matter the day or month. All the other departures can be booked, though.
On top of that, Tabsa isn’t responding to any messages.
We’re planning to explore Peru’s main highlights and were wondering if anyone could share insights on the quality and comfort of overnight buses. If so, which bus company should we trust?
Hi,
My wife and I are heading to Brazil from November 6th to December 2nd. We’ll be stopping in São Paulo, Paraty, Ilha Grande, Rio, and Salvador de Bahia.
Could you recommend some nice, non-luxury places to stay in each of these spots?
Also, any suggestions for places to visit would be great.
Thanks in advance for your help!
Marc
Hi there.
I already posted a message asking for advice about our upcoming trip to Chile.
Details: Getting around by bus or train.
Starting from Valparaiso, heading north, passing through cities and places to visit, then returning to Santiago via a different route.
Avoid the beaches...
Thanks
Hello,
my wife and I will be in Cusco for a week in March 2027.
I’d like to organize the visit to the site on our own, combining the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu.
We’d leave Cusco on Day 1 to arrive at the site in the morning, then stay in Aguas Calientes or Ollantaytambo, and on Day 2 return to Cusco while visiting the Sacred Valley.
Is this doable?
Looking forward to hearing from you.
Cédric.
Hello,
We’re spending 3 weeks in Rio between February 20 and March 15, 2027, to visit our son and daughter-in-law. We’re thinking of one or two "escapes" from Rio—3-day trips to get away from the city (so not too far, max 3–4 hours by car or bus). We’re all ears for suggestions! We love beautiful nature and authentic experiences, not so much the touristy spots... even though those spots are often in beautiful places, we’d rather avoid them.
Thanks for your insights!
Catherine
Hi there,
I’m planning a trip with my partner (no kids this time—thanks, Grandma!) for two weeks to celebrate her 40th birthday. I’ve been thinking about Chile. We’re looking at leaving around September 18, 2027, starting in the south and returning in early April.
Here’s what I had in mind:
8 nights in a van in the Lake District and the start of the Carretera Austral (up to the Chaitén area). We’re set to arrive in Puerto Montt around 2:00 PM. We don’t want to go too far south since we’re planning to explore the heart of Patagonia (Chile and Argentina) with the kids when they’re older. The idea is to spend 3 nights discovering the lakes (up to Cochamó) and 3 nights in Pumalín Park. I’ve also added two transition nights.
7 nights in the Atacama to experience another side of Chile (San Pedro), taking a domestic flight from Puerto Montt to Calama in the early afternoon. We’ll depart for France in the early evening from Santiago.
IMPORTANT NOTICE for those planning to take a bus to another city, state, or destination from Salvador!
Starting January 20, 2026, the intercity bus station Rodoviária is changing its address!
The Rodoviária is leaving the Iguatemi area and will now be located in ÁGUAS CLARAS (about twenty kilometers from downtown Salvador).
A brand-new station (the most modern in Brazil) has just been set up there, accessible by car/taxi/Uber/metro.
Allow for much more transfer time (especially during rush hours), so leave early if you're heading to Chapada Diamantina or other Brazilian cities by bus.
Remember, there are also private transfers (even French-speaking ones) that can take you directly from your hotel in Salvador to your hotel in Chapada. Sure, it’ll be more expensive, but you’ll save on transfer time and comfort.
Tropical greetings from Salvador,
@ivanbahiaguide
Loyal member of the French-Speaking Brazil Forums for over 15 years already 😊 🇧🇷
Hello,
We’re thinking of spending 1 month in Chile, maybe doing a loop?
From 12/23 to 01/22.
What are the must-see sights, given we’re more interested in the country’s cultural side than the beaches?
Thanks
Hi everyone,
We're planning a trip to southern Chile in November. Here's our tentative itinerary:
Day 1: Arrival in Santiago, then a flight the next day to Balmaceda where we'll pick up a rental car to reach Coyhaique.
Day 3: Walk in the Coyhaique National Reserve, then continue to Puerto Chacabuco. Return to Coyhaique for the second night.
Day 4: Drive to Villa Cerro Castillo for a hike in the national park. Continue to Puerto Tranquilo and stay there for 3 nights.
Day 5: Boat tour on Laguna San Rafael.
Day 6: Day trip to Monte San Valentin Glacier.
Day 7: Excursion to the Marble Chapels, then drive to Puerto Guadal. We'll stay there for 3 nights.
Day 8: Walk along Lago Carrera and return to Puerto Guadal.
Day 9: Rio Baker Valley and, if possible, a glacier excursion.
Day 10: Drive to Cochrane and hike in Tamango National Reserve. We'll stay 2 nights in Cochrane.
Day 11: Walk in the Chacabuco Valley.
Day 12: Drive to Caleta Tortel. We'll stay there for 2 nights.
Day 13: Cruise in the Rio Baker delta.
Day 14: Return to Cochrane.
Day 15: Return to Balmaceda in two stages.
Day 16: Continue the return journey.
Day 17: Return the rental car and head back to Santiago.
After this, we're also planning to explore northern Santiago. I'll post about that part once I have a clearer idea of the route.
What do you think of this itinerary? Is it doable in 17 days?
Thanks in advance for your tips and recommendations.
martine
Hi there, I’ll be in Brazil from December 10th to the end of February.
I’ve sketched out a rough itinerary but I’m not sure how to arrange it—considering the climate, year-end holidays, and Carnival.
Basically, I’m thinking of the Amazon, the Northeast coast with Lençóis Maranhenses National Park (but skipping Chapada Diamantina),
Ouro Preto, Paraty, and Ilha Grande—but no Rio visit.
Is this doable in 3 months?
Which direction should I take for this itinerary?
Thanks in advance!
Hi everyone, does anyone know the agency Ventura Travel Agency (not ventura travel)? After lots of research and quotes, it’s the only one offering Uyuni at a reasonable price while meeting all the criteria: transfer to the border, private-room accommodation, and a very fair rate. Other agencies or guides either offer shared rooms, no border transfer, or prices that are way too high. But I’d love to hear some reviews about this agency. Thanks in advance!
Hi everyone,
We're planning a trip to Chile to visit the Atacama Desert and then head toward Putre, Lauca, Salar de Surire, etc.
Which would be the better time to go, April or November?
Is an SUV enough?
Looking forward to your tips!
Hi everyone, French travelers in Chile—what credit cards do you use for your various car rentals in the country? I’m traveling in September and was planning to switch my regular debit card (a VISA PREMIER in deferred debit mode) for the deposit guarantee.
My rentals are with Figal in Punta Arenas, Econautos in Arica, and Chilean Rent a Car in Temuco, and all of them want the deposit on a credit card. For me, deferred debit *should* work, but I’ve read comments saying the opposite.
How’s it actually working on the ground with these rental companies right now? Will a deferred debit card work, or not at all?
In France, banks don’t issue credit cards, right—or am I mistaken?
Hi everyone, is it still possible to travel in Ecuador outside the Amazon region? If so, do you have a reliable agency to recommend? All your recent experiences from the past few months would be greatly appreciated. Thanks so much
Hi,
We’re heading to Buenos Aires for 3 days in November and would like to do a guided tour of a few neighborhoods. There are "free" tours, but none in French. Does anyone have a guide to recommend so we can really get to know the city beyond just the architecture?
Thanks
Hi there,
I’m desperately looking for info on the schedules and routes of (shared) boats to visit the islands of Lake Titicaca.
From what I’ve found, there’s a *combi* (bus) that leaves from Puno to go to Llachon. Where do you catch it? What are the schedules and frequency? Does it take about 1 hour?
Then in Llachon, you can take a boat to Amantani (45 min). Same question—where do you check for frequency and schedule?
After that, from Amantani, boats go to Taquile and then Uros. Do you have enough time to visit the islands between two boats? Frequency and schedule?
The goal is to do this tour independently (no agency) over 2 days. Thanks for any tips you might have!
I just got back from a trip to Bolivia and wow—what a wake-up call. It’s not the easiest country, but it’s absolutely stunning.
I started with Isla del Sol, perfect for easing into the altitude at a relaxed pace. Try to stay in the northern part of the island—it’s quieter and the views are insane. And the trout there? Unreal. Quick tip: bring cash in small bills; they almost never have change, and cards are rarely accepted.
Next up, La Paz. The city’s pretty wild, built in every direction. I did a few hikes in the area, including the famous Charquini Lagoon (the blue lake) at over 5,000 m—let’s just say I struggled 😅 but it was so beautiful it was totally worth it.
After that, I headed to Sajama. It’s cool, especially for the hot springs, and I stayed in Tomarapi. But honestly, if you’re short on time, you can skip it without too many regrets.
The highlight of the trip: the Salar. I did it starting from Tupiza, and I *highly* recommend going Tupiza → Uyuni. Way less crowded at the start and the landscapes are super varied. For the tour, I used SplitYourGuide to find a group, and it worked out great. Super handy for splitting costs and meeting people.
I wrapped up in Sucre—this city is gorgeous, all white, with such a chill vibe. And the salteñas + ice cream? Next level 😋
Bottom line: Bolivia’s a bit rough around the edges, sometimes exhausting (shoutout to the altitude), but it’s 1000% worth it.
If you’ve got questions or need tips, I’m happy to help!
Martin
I was planning to go to Réunion and stay in half-board accommodation with non-professionals, but it seems that’s not really the custom there—or maybe my budget isn’t big enough.
So, since I’ve already traveled around Ecuador and Peru, I’m now looking at Argentina, especially for its mountains (like the ones in Réunion that tempted me, even though—frustratingly—I could only admire them from below).
I plan to get around by bus and don’t know in advance where I’ll sleep, so I won’t book ahead. If I like a place, I might stay for several days.
I know that in Chile, it’s easy to find half-board accommodation, but what about in Argentina?
I’d like to stay with locals in half-board without it being a professional setup. I’m not sure if this is common practice there. It’s up to me to find someone willing to host me.
What do you think?
What would be a fair price (keeping in mind that 40 to 50 € is the max I can spend on accommodation, breakfast, and dinner)?
Hi everyone,
We’re heading to Patagonia for three weeks in November, starting from Coyhaique in Chile.
We won’t have a car, and I’m struggling to find information about transportation options for a few parts of the itinerary we’d like to do:
1) From Perito Moreno (the town, near Los Antiguos), we’d like to travel down Ruta 40 to visit Perito Moreno National Park and then cross into Chile via the Paso Roballos (at the latitude of Bajo Caracoles) to reach the road to Cochrane. Without a car, it seems we’ll need to use private agencies to get to the national park—do you have any recommendations or suggestions? Also, does anyone know if it’s possible to cross into Chile via Paso Roballos (from Bajo Caracoles) without a rental car? That is, without having to go all the way down to El Chaltén or back up toward Perito Moreno/Los Antiguos, etc.?
2) The second stretch that seems a bit tricky (though still easier, in theory) is from Caleta Tortel to Villa O’Higgins on the Chilean side. Do we have to go back through Cochrane, or are there ways to get directly from Tortel to Villa O’Higgins?
3) Finally, we’d like to hike into Argentina (El Chaltén) from O’Higgins. Any recommendations for this? Do we need to go through an agency? What’s the estimated duration of the trek?
As you’ve probably gathered, we want to visit some off-the-beaten-path spots but don’t have a car, so we’re looking for the best possible compromises.
Thanks so much in advance for all your suggestions!
Thomas
